Aquatic game and equipment therefor

ABSTRACT

Aquatic game equipment is disclosed comprising a vessel having a collar of buoyant material and a plurality of holes disposed in a circumferential row in the vessel above the buoyant collar. A weight in the bottom of the vessel is provided to maintain the equipment in an upright position when placed in the water. According to a preferred form of aquatic game, a plurality of vessels according to the present invention are placed in the water and individuals kneeling or standing in the vessels attempt to force an opponent through the use of jousting sticks to tip his vessel sufficiently to cause it to ship water through the holes above the collar, thereby to sink the opponent&#39;&#39;s vessel and win the game.

United States Patent Goggi et al.

[54] AQUATIC GAME AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR [72] Inventors: Charles P.Goggi, 140 Cebra Avenue, Stapleton; Eugene S. Goggi, 5 Liberty Avenue,Dongan Hills, both of NY. 10304 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] App1.No.:95,509

[52] U.S. Cl ..9/1 A, 272/1 B, 273/67 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B63c B63b 35/00[58] Field of Search.'....9/1 A, l R; 272/1 B; 273/1 R, 273/67 R [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,371,640 3/1968 Tsokalas ..9/1 A2,906,531 9/1959 Merickel et al ..9/1 A 3,145,990 8/1964 Prouty ..272/1B [15] [4 1 Nov. 21, 1972 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. BlixAttorney-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [5 7 ABSTRACT Aquatic gameequipment is disclosed comprising a vessel having a collar of buoyantmaterial and a plurality of holes disposed in a circumferential row inthe vessel above the buoyant collar. A weight in the bottom of thevessel is provided to maintain the equipment in an upright position whenplaced in the water. According to a preferred form of aquatic game, aplurality of vessels according to the present invention are placed inthe water and individuals kneeling or standing in the vessels attempt toforce an opponent through the use of jousting sticks to tip his vesselsufficiently to cause it to ship water through the holes above thecollar, thereby to sink the opponents vessel and win the game.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AQUATIC GAME AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR FIELDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a game and equipment thereforand more particularly to a new and improved aquatic game and new andimproved aquatic game equipment therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, it is desirable that a game beenjoyable, challenging and require the exercise of skill while at thesame time be easy to learn and utilize equipment which is safe and easyto use. In addition, the game and equipment therefor should preferablyappeal to persons of all ages, and such equipment should be relativelyinexpensive, should be sturdy and capable of repeated use without damagethereto and should be capable of being hand-carried and of being easilytransported in a car or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present inventionan aquaticgame is provided which is enjoyable, challenging and requires theexercise of skill. The game is easy to learn and has an appeal forpersons of all ages. Aquatic game equipment is provided which is safeand easy to use, is relatively inexpensive, is sturdy and will stand upunder repeated use and may be hand carried by one person and may beeasily transported in a car to a body of water where the equipment maybe used.

In general, these and other advantages and objects of the presentinvention are achieved wherein aquatic game equipment is providedcomprising a vessel having means for buoying the vessel in the water andmeans for causing the vessel to ship water when it is tipped a givenamount.

According to one aspect of the invention the vessel is also providedwith means for maintaining the vessel in an upright position. Means mayalso be provided on the vessel to facilitate hand carrying thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of aquatic game equipment according to thepresent invention the vessel comprising a tub having a collar of buoyantmaterial and a row of holes therein above the collar to permit water toflow into the tub when it is tipped over too far. The tub may also beprovided with a weight in the bottom thereof to maintain the tub in anupright position when it is in the water. Preferably the tub is eithercylindrical or conical in shape. Handles may also be provided on thecollar.

According to a preferred form of aquatic game according to the presentinvention, individuals kneeling or standing in vessels according to thepresent invention which have been placed in water,attempt to cause anopponent to tip his vessel over sufficiently to ship water thereby tosink the vessel by means of jousting with jousting sticks held by theindividuals. A preferred form of jousting stick comprises a handle and ahead of soft resilient material such as sponge rubber or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing apreferred embodiment of aquatic game equipment according to the presentinvention as used in a preferred form of aquatic game according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the jousting stick ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially sectional view of another embodimentof vessel according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED. EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figuresthere is shown in FIGS. 1 3 a preferred embodiment of aquatic gameequipment according to the present invention and an illustration of apreferred form of aquatic game which may be played with such equipment.As shown in FIG. 1, aquatic game equipment according to one embodimentof the present invention, includes vessels 12 which are shown floatingin a body 14 of water. A pair of individuals l6 and 18 are respectivelypositioned in vessel l2 and each individual 16, 18 is shown wielding ajousting stick 20.

According to a preferred form of aquatic game which may be played withvessels l2 and jousting sticks 20, individuals 16 and 18 kneeling orstanding in vessels 12 attempt to prevent water from flowing into onesown vessel while attempting to cause the other individual to tip hisdevice to allow water to enter into and to sink it. This game will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there :is shown a preferred embodiment of vesselaccording to the aquatic game equipment of the present invention. Asshown vessel 10 comprises a tub 22 of substantially cylindricalconfiguration having a cylindrical sidewall 24 and a substantially flatbottom 26, the top of tub 22 being open to permit an individual toposition himself therein. Tub 22 may comprise any material such asplastic which is durable, lightweight and preferably buoyant. Suchmaterial may for example be polystyrene or the like.

Tub 22 is provided with a collar 28 of buoyant material in themid-section region thereof. The dimensions of collar 28, the degree ofbuoyancy provided thereby and the positioning thereof on tub 22 will bedetermined to a great extent by the dimensions, weight and buoyancy oftub 22 and by the maximum weight of an individual to be carried byvessel 12 in the water. Generally, the dimensions and degree of buoyancyof collar 28 should be such that vessel 12 is capable of supporting amale adult of normal size and weight. It will be apparent, however, thatthe dimensions and degree of buoyancy of vessel 12 and more particularlyof collar 28 will be dependent upon the size of in dividual carried invessel 12. Thus, for example, where children are to be carried by vessel12 a smaller tub may be used than if large male adults are to be carriedthereby.

Positioned in the bottom of tub 22 is a weight 30 of heavy material suchas lead. Weight 30 is provided to maintain vessel 12 in an uprightposition when it is floated in the water with an individual positionedtherein. Weight 30 tends to counteract the weight of an individual abovethe water line and to act as a countermoment to offset the momentcreated by an individual off-center in vessel 12.

A row of holes 32 in sidewall 24 above collar 28 extends around theperiphery of wall 24. Holes 32 permit water to pour into tub 22 when itis tipped at an angle as when an individual carried in vessel 12 isthrown off balance. As tub 22 fills up with water, it will tend to sinkand if too much water is shipped, vessel 12 will sink. As explainedabove, according to the game of the present invention when vessel 12 issunk the individual carried therein will be defeated.

Handles 34 are provided on collar 28 so that vessel 12 may be handcarried.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of vessel 12comprising a conically shaped tub 36 having a collar 38, a row of holes40 therein above collar 38 and a weight 42 in the bottom or apex of tub36. Handles 44 are also provided on collar 38 to permit hand carryingthereof.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of jousting stick which may be usedaccording to the game of the present invention. As shown, stick 20comprises a handle 46 and a head 48 at one end thereof. The entirehandle or at least the head thereof is preferably comprised of a softresilient material such as sponge rubber so that individuals using thejousting sticks in sport will not be injured thereby.

A preferred form of aquatic game according to the present inventionutilizing the equipment described hereinabove may be played as follows:

Each individual playing the game is provided with a jousting stick 20and positions himself in a vessel 12 which has been placed in a body ofwater such as a pool or lake. Each individual then wields his joustingstick against his opponent and attempts to cause him to tip his vesselover sufficiently so that it will ship water while the individualattempts to prevent water from flowing into his own vessel through therow of holes above the buoyant collar. The individual whose vessel islast to sink wins the game.

It will be understood that vessels 12 will be sufficiently buoyant thatthey will not sink to the bottom but will provide support for theindividual even after water has reached the row of holes in vessel 12.At this point vessel 12 will reach a state of relative equilibrium andwater will flow in and out of vessel 12. Vessel 12 may be emptied ofwater by baling it out or tipping it on its side.

Thus it is seen that according to the present invention that there isprovided an aquatic game which is enjoyable, challenging and requiresthe exercise of skill but which is also easy to learn and which utilizesequipment which is safe and easy to use. Additionally, the aquatic gameof the present invention has an appeal to persons of all ages and theaquatic game equipment of the present invention is relativelyinexpensive, sturdy, capable of repeated use without damage thereto, andis capable of being hand carried and of being easily transported in acar or the like.

What is claimed is:

l. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a tub-shaped vessel having a bottom wall and a substantiallycylindrical side wall;

b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel istilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vesseladjacent to the mid-section region of said vessel;

c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the sidewall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacentto said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water toenter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

2. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 and further including a weightdisposed in the bottom of said vessel.

3. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 wherein said collar is providedwith at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

4. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 and further comprising, incombination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick beingcomprised of a handle and a head, at least the head of said joustingstick being comprised of a soft resilient material.

5. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a substantially conical-shaped vessel having a side wall and a baseportion, said vessel in its operative position being disposed with theapex of the cone being down and below the base of the cone, the apex ofthe cone being submerged in the water and the base of the cone beingopen;

b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel istilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vesseladjacent to the mid-section range of said vessel;

0. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the sidewall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacentto said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water toenter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

6. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 and further including a weightdisposed in the bottom of said vessel.

7. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 wherein said collar is providedwith at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

8. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 and further comprising, incombination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick beingcomprised of a handle and a head, at least the head of said joustingstick being comprised of a soft resilient material.

9. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a vessel adapted to float with its central axis in a substantiallyupright position, said vessel having a side wall and a circularcross-section with respect to the central axis;

b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel istilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vesseladjacent to the mid-section region of said vessel;

c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the sidewall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacentto said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water toenter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

10. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 and further including a weightdisposed in the bottom of said vessel.

1 1. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 wherein said collar isprovided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

12. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 and further comprising, incombination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick beingcomprised of a handle and a head at least the head of said joustingstick being comprised of a soft resilient material. 5

1. Aquatic game equipment comprising: a. a tub-shaped vessel having abottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall; b. a buoyantcollar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, saidcollar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to themid-section region of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a rowof apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of saidvessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row ofapertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when thevessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.
 1. Aquatic game equipmentcomprising: a. a tub-shaped vessel having a bottom wall and asubstantially cylindrical side wall; b. a buoyant collar to provideadditional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar beingdisposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-sectionregion of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a row of aperturesdisposed in the side wall about the periphery of said vessel above saidcollar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adaptedto enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to apredetermined angle.
 2. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 andfurther including a weight disposed in the bottom of said vessel.
 3. Theaquatic game equipment of claim 1 wherein said collar is provided withat least one handle for carrying said vessel.
 4. The aquatic gameequipment of claim 1 and further comprising, in combination therewith, ajousting stick, said jousting stick being comprised of a handle and ahead, at least the head of said jousting stick being comprised of a softresilient material.
 5. Aquatic game equipment comprising: a. asubstantially conical-shaped vessel having a side wall and a baseportion, said vessel in its operative position being disposed with theapex of the cone being down and below the base of the cone, the apex ofthe cone being submerged in the water and the base of the cone beingopen; b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vesselis tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vesseladjacent to the mid-section range of said vessel; c. said vessel furtherhaving a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the peripHeryof said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said rowof apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when thevessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.
 6. The aquatic game equipmentof claim 5 and further including a weight disposed in the bottom of saidvessel.
 7. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 wherein said collar isprovided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.
 8. Theaquatic game equipment of claim 5 and further comprising, in combinationtherewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick being comprised of ahandle and a head, at least the head of said jousting stick beingcomprised of a soft resilient material.
 9. Aquatic game equipmentcomprising: a. a vessel adapted to float with its central axis in asubstantially upright position, said vessel having a side wall and acircular cross-section with respect to the central axis; b. a buoyantcollar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, saidcollar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to themid-section region of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a rowof apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of saidvessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row ofapertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when thevessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.
 10. The aquatic gameequipment of claim 9 and further including a weight disposed in thebottom of said vessel.
 11. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 whereinsaid collar is provided with at least one handle for carrying saidvessel.